Death toll reaches 120At least 120 people drowned and several others were missing as a passenger launch caught in a sudden storm capsized in the Buriganga river at Munshikhola in Pagla of Narayanganj on Saturday night.

Nation pays homage to language martyrsThe nation yesterday observed the Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day commemorating the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs of February 21 in 1952 to uphold the dignity of the mother language,

Saifur unhappy over Washington meetFinance Minister M Saifur Rahman has expressed his grievances to the European Union (EU) for organising a meeting in Washington on governance on February 23 and 24 without any representative from Bangladesh.

Govt sleeps as over 4,000 die in decadeOver 4,000 people have died in water vessel disasters in the last decade alone, largely because the government, even after tall talks and strong commitments on several occasions, has utterly failed to

BIWTA limps with two age-old salvage shipsAt least 200 vessels lie submerged on different riverbeds making waterways across the country potentially hazardous as BIWTA with only two salvage ships faces an uphill task to refloat the wrecks.

Submit consensus report on elevated expresswayThe Planning Commission has asked the Ministry of Communi-cations to submit a consensus report of the joint task force of Bangladesh and Thailand on the proposed 13 kilometre long elevated express highway

UN declares level 1 warning in DhakaThe United Nations (UN) has announced a level-1 security warning in Bangladesh for its officials asking them to inform the Dhaka office before making a visit to the country, said UN officials.

Ekushey tradition brokenIn a deviation from traditional Amar Ekushey programmes at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital, recitation from the Quran was played over microphones from a makeshift podium at the venue.

Dhaka to consider mission in BaghdadBangladesh will consider reopening its mission in Baghdad and joining the reconstruction work with the installation of a new government in Iraq and full security assurance from them.

Singapore best Asian city, Dhaka worstSingapore has edged out Tokyo and Hong Kong as the best city in Asia for expatriates to live, according to a survey by a human resource group released yesterday, while Dhaka is the worst.

WB to provide $200m for health sectorThe World Bank's soft loan wing the International Development Association (IDA) has agreed to give US$200 million for the Health Nutrition and Population Sector Programme (HNPSP).

150 feared dead in Indonesia landslideAlmost 150 people were believed to have died under hundreds of tonnes of garbage and earth on Indonesia's main island yesterday when heavy seasonal rain unleashed a massive landslide, police said.

Bush issues war of words to Iran, SyriaUS President Bush appealed to Europe yesterday to move beyond animosities over Iraq and join forces in encouraging democratic reforms across the Middle East.

JP to witness further splitThe expelled presidium member of Jatiya Party (JP), Sardar Amzad Hossain, yesterday called a special council of the party on February 24 to decide about formation of a new JP faction.

Japan, Germany cloud G7 economic outlookDismal performances by the Japanese and German economies last year, tipping into recession for Japan, highlight structural problems for some analysts but are just a temporary "hiccup" for others.

UK wants G7, China to work togetherBritain's finance minister on Monday urged cooperation between the world's rich nations and China and is expected later to say it would be futile to resort to protectionism to counter China's growingeconomic

WB warns oil cash no cure for job woesA cash bonanza from higher oil prices will fail to create millions of jobs needed across the Middle East unless governments take tough reform decisions to lessen their dependence on energy, the World

China to set up $6b stock stabilising fundChina will create a $6 billion stabilisation fund by June in its boldest move so far this year to support moribund markets, but a lack of detail could keep investors sidelined, state media and analysts

Novartis becomes top generics makerNovartis AG has become the world's biggest copy-cat drugs maker by agreeing to buy unlisted German firm Hexal and US company Eon Labs in a cash deal worth a total of more than $8 billion.

Dollar broadly steadyThe dollar held broadly steady on Monday as markets awaited this week's US data for clues how fast interest rates need to rise to counter inflation, while it hit a 22-year low against the high-yielding

SingTel to sell four properties worth $194mSingapore Telecommunications (SingTel) said Monday it would sell four local properties worth 316.3 million Singapore dollars (194 million US) to use its financial resources more effectively.

Sri Lanka buys 12,000 tonnes Indian cornSri Lanka has bought about 12,000 tonnes of Indian corn for March shipment but more deals are unlikely to materialise soon because of rising domestic prices in the South Asian exporter, traders said yesterday.

Total chief urges greater access to Opec reservesThe chief executive of French energy giant Total believes Western oil companies must have better access to oil and gas reserves in Opec countries and Russia to continue increasing their output, according

Cricket:Shahadat after MushfiqurFast bowler Shahadat Hossain Rajib started from where he had left off in the first Test as his second five-for in consecutive innings put Bangladesh A in control on Day Two of the second Test againstZimbabwe

Football:Foreigner spree for Fed CupWith the Federation Cup Football Tournament just around the corner big teams continued their frantic search for quality foreign recruits.

Cricket:Indo-Pak battle lines drawnThe riot-hit Indian city of Ahmedabad will host the fourth one-day international against Pakistan, according to the itinerary announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday.

Football:Beckhams 'Cruz' to thirdBritish pop singer Victoria Beckham, wife of England soccer captain David Beckham, gave birth on Sunday to their third son, Cruz.

Cricket:'India beatable at home'Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer Sunday said India are beatable at home and his young team can take inspiration from Australia and South Africa who won a series in India.

Cricket:Wasim finds Shoaib rightFormer Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has backed fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's decision to withdraw from the Test series in India because of injury."I think he took the sensible decision.

Cricket:Bhaji could be the firstIndian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is expected to become the first bowler in elite cricket to benefit from a relaxation of rules on chucking, an Australian biomechanics expert said Sunday.

Tennis:Another crown for FedererRoger Federer triumphed in his 15th straight final without a loss on Sunday as he shut down the big game of Ivan Ljubicic 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 to finally lift a trophy at the 782,250-euros Rotterdam Open.

Cricket:Whatmore for an active 12th manThe man who presided over a remarkable redefinition of the way one-day cricket is played says the game doesn't need rule changes to make it more exciting.

Tennis:Mauresmo shoots Venus downFrance's top seed Amelie Mauresmo won the 585,000-dollar WTA tournament here on Sunday after beating Venus Williams in the final.

Cricket:2nd Aus-NZ ODI todayFormer rugby All Black Jeff Wilson will return to international cricket for the first time in 12 years Tuesday when he takes the field against Australia.

Cricket:Kalabagan sign off in styleKalabagan Krira Chakra finished their First Division League campaign in style when they defeated Surjo Tarun Club by 59 runs at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Sunday.

Cricket:Special Indian visa offices in PakistanIndia said Monday it would open special visa offices in the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Karachi to process thousands of fans who want to travel across the border for a historic cricket tour.

Football:Old Lady's Galactico dateReal Madrid and Juventus will both be aiming to put behind them this weekend's domestic disappointments with stirring performances in their Champions League first leg clash on Tuesday.

Football:Kluivert gives 'em the bluesChelsea's quest for an historic quadruple of trophies was laid to rest as a Patrick Kluivert goal saw Newcastle maintain their bid to lift the FA Cup for the first time in 50 years by booking a placein

Football:Gunners have to defy oddsWith the English Premiership title seemingly out of reach Arsenal turn their attention to the Champions League on Tuesday hoping to gain the upper hand over German leaders Bayern Munich in the first leg

Football:Real run snappedBarcelona extended their Spanish first division lead to seven points with a 2-0 win over Real Mallorca, as their rivals Real Madrid crashed 2-0 at home to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Football:Milan smile as Juve stutterTen-man AC Milan replaced Juventus at the top of Serie A after a stoppage-time goal by Brazilian winger Serginho gave them a 1-0 win over Cagliari on Saturday.

Football:Evenly matched contestsEngland's bitter rivalry with Germany takes centre stage as Liverpool entertain Bayer Leverkusen, the team who knocked the Anfield giants out in the quarter-finals three years ago.

Attack on four KU reportersFour university correspondents of local dailies were severely injured in an attack by some unruly students at Gallamari under Sonadanga thana on Friday.

Six win Bangla Academy Literary AwardSix litterateurs, researchers and translators have been selected for the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2004 for their outstanding contribution to their respective field.

Injured JCD leader diesA Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader shot by muggers on February 12 died at Chittagong Medical College Hospital on Sunday.

Swiss envoy visits Flat factory in JoypurhatJuerg Casserini, Head of Mission and Hans Peter Fitze, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland, visited the factory of Flamingo Agro-Tech Ltd (Flat) at Tilakpur in Jaypurhat district on

Nepotism to recruit JU teacher?Authorities at Jahangirnagar University (JU) and the Archaeology department there have allegedly initiated some illegal means to appoint teachers in three posts of Lecturer in the department.

PCJSS man held, arms recoveredAn alleged cadre of Parbattya Chattagram Jono Sanghaty Samity (PCJSS) was arrested by the joint forces from Barbindu Ghat in Baghaichhari upazila on Saturday, according to army sources.

Attack on Shalika newsman condemnedJournalists in Shalikha upazila in Magura at a meeting at the local press club on Monday demanded arrest of miscreants involved in the attack on Dainik Bhorer Dak correspondent Abdur Rob on Friday night.

100 hurt in clash over landAt least 100 people including a woman were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers at Madir Haor of Ashurail village under Buresheyar union in Nasirnagar upazila over cutting grass from a disputed

'Outlaw' arrestedAn 'outlaw' was arrested after a gunfight with the Sadar police on Sunday.The arrested person is Rabbani, a regional leader of the outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party-ML.

Steps to contain smuggling by trainA decision was taken at a meeting of the district law and order committee here on Saturday to take certain measures to contain smuggling by trains, stop traffic jam on roads in the district town and haltage

Equating micro-credit with coastal cataclysmsInaugurating the observance of UN International Year of Micro-credit 2005 last month (15 January) the Prime Minister proposed at the backdrop of the Asian Tsunami that a multinational initiative be taken

Hariri's assassination and its implicationsThe tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who ruled Lebanon for 10 out of the 14 years since the end of civil year in 1991, has once again pushed the war-torn country to great uncertainties.

Unite against politics of anarchy: MannanBNP Secretary General and LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday called on all to be imbued with the spirit of the Language Movement and united against all sorts of anarchy.

2 outlaws sent to jailIqbal Hossain Swadhin and Merajul Islam, two of the four outlaws arrested in journalist Dip Azad bomb attack case, were sent to Khulna district jail after the expiry of their five-day remand yesterday.

Youth drowns in lakeA youth drowned in the lake of a local tourist complex yesterday. He was identified as Ariful Islam, 24, an employee of Brac Bank at Gazipur, and resident of Mirpur.

Primet awards studentsPrimet Programme has awarded 1,005 students for their success in medical admission tests across the country under 2004-05 academic session.

Ashura observedThe holy Ashura was observed across the country on Sunday with due religious fervour, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hossain (R), grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM).

Lions Club VP Ashok Mehta arrivesFirst International Vice-President of Lions Clubs International Ashok Mehta arrived in Dhaka yesterday on a three-day visit to ascertain its project activities in Bangladesh, particularly the Sight-First

Record snowfall halts life in KashmirAt least 105 people were killed at the weekend with scores missing in Indian Kashmir after the heaviest snowfall in two decades caused avalanches and brought the region to a near-halt, officials saidyesterday.

9 killed in Iraq violenceNine Iraqis have died in a series of attacks in Iraq since Sunday evening, while a journalist, her son, and three men working for the US military have been kidnapped.

Nepali Maoists open fire on convoyNepalese Maoist rebels raked a convoy of vehicles with gunfire, killing a bus driver and injuring nine passengers in the first violence linked to the transport blockade they called to protest at the king's

Half of Russia nuke materials 'missing'Half of Russian nuclear material is not accounted for and may have found its way into the hands of plotters against the United States, a US senator with access to classified intelligence charged Sunday.

Israeli cabinet okays Gaza pullout planIsrael freed 500 Palestinian prisoners in a good-will gesture yesterday, a day after the government gave final approval to a pullout from Gaza and a revised route of the West Bank separation barrier that

India tests medium range missileIndia successfully test-fired a medium range surface-to-air missile yesterday from a range on an island off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa, defence sources said.

Referendum on constitution to include allMyanmar Prime Minister Soe Win said yesterday that a convention which is drafting a new constitution for his military-ruled country includes "all strata of society" despite a boycott by the opposition

Chavez says US planning to kill himVenezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said he believes the US government is planning to assassinate him. "If they kill me, the name of the person responsible is [President] George Bush," Chavez said.

3 killed in blast as Bush, Clinton tour LankaThree people were killed and at least 30 injured in a blast at a courthouse in southern Sri Lanka yesterday, police said, as former US presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton toured the region.

Editorial:So many meeting their watery grave again!At least 118 people were drowned in a launch capsize on Saturday night in the river Buriganga. The disaster took place after MV Maharaj carrying well over 200 passengers got caught in a nor'wester.

Editorial:Nepal crisisOur last editorial on the crisis in Nepal on February 6 less than a week after King Gyanandra had sacked the coalition government headed by Prime Minister Deuba, seizing control of the administrationhimself

Is an American showdown with Iran inevitable?President George Bush's state of the Union speech early this month makes it abundantly clear that with the Republican hawks in power in the US the world is yet not a safe place and the distant drumof

A costly tragedyMuch has been written and said about the sad demise of SAMS Kibria. However, most of the reactions and comments have so far been limited to the incident itself and its immediate aftermath.

Trip to Cox's BazarOn January 23, 2005, my better half and I went to Cox's Bazar. The journey from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar was smooth and comfortable.

SaarcIndia's position on Saarc should not really have come as a surprise.

Food pricesIt is really sad to see that a democratically elected government miserably failed to control the prices of essential foodstuff in a country like Bangladesh, where more than 35 percent people live under

Non-diplomatic functions!It appears that some diplomats and chiefs of some international development agencies in Bangladesh are now spending more time and thoughts in performing non-diplomatic functions, forgetting diplomatic

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